Thermal dilator



Aug. 8, 1939. WNMCCONKEY 2,168,427 1 THERMAL DILATOR Filed May 25, 1957 1 I w mu m w a f 2 w 11- I L i ly lwl -iWJ/EK P 7/4; IV/1H7 w Patented Aug. 8, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE THERMAL DILATOR Walter N. McOonkey, Lima, Ohio Application May 25, 1937, Serial No. 144,572

3 Claims.

This invention relates to surgical devices and is more particularly concerned with a device adapted for treatment of the prostrate gland by insertion through the rectum.

One of the primary objects of the invention is to provide for treatment by application of heat in a manner to ensure the desired temperature.

Still further, the invention has in view the provision of adjustable means providing for accurate control of the temperature.

In addition to the foregoing, the invention contemplates structural features of improvement such as to provide a device formed of relatively few and simply fabricated parts, the several parts all being arranged with a view to ensuring positive and uniform operation in a number of respects mentioned more fully hereinafter.

How the foregoing, together with other objects and advantages are attained will be more apparent from a consideration of the following description referring to the accompanying drawing the single longitudinal sectional figure of which discloses the preferred embodiment of the device of the invention.

The reference numeral l indicates the main such as heated water.

Surrounding the core element 2 there is provided an expansible or rubber sheath or envelope 6, the free edge I of which is adapted to be clamped between the shoulder part 8 of the body member and a cooperating ring or washer 9. lhe washer 9 may be tightened in position by means of the compression cap it which is threaded externally onto the body member I as indicated at II.

The central bore 5 of the core element 2 is provided with ports or any equivalent communication means l2 serving to place the bore 5 into communication with the interior of the envelope 6, it being noted that as shown in the drawing the ports H. are preferably located adjacent the end of the core element 2 remote from the body member I. The extreme tip end of the core element 2 may be closed, as is indicated at 53.

Upon admission of fluid from the bore 5 in the core element 2 into the interior of the envelope 6, this envelope is expanded as indicated, for example, by the full-line showing.

The envelope appears in collapsed position by the dot-and-dash lines 60..

At this point it is noted that in accordance with the present invention provision is made for return flow of the treating fluid. To ensure free- 5 dom for return flow, an annular chamber I4 is arranged between the shouldered part 8 at the top of body member I and the adjacent end of the core element 2, and the core element 2 is provided with one or more longitudinal grooves l l5 in its outer surface which extend from a point in the region of the ports I2 to a point adjacent the base end of the core in a manner to ensure communication with the discharge chamber M.

A discharge bore I6 is also formed in the body member I, the inner end of this bore being in communication with the annular chamber I l.

The portions IT and 18 of the body member adjacent to the inlet end of the bore and the outlet end of the bore I6 are configured to coop- 20 crate with conduits or rubber tubes for the admission and discharge of the treatment fluid. The inlet and outlet bores 4 and It also preferably diverge from each other, and the portions l1 and IB of the body member are spaced from each other in order to facilitate connection and disconnection of the supply and discharge tubes.

Toward the outlet end of the discharge bore it, this bore is enlarged as at I!) to form a valve chamber into which the valve member 2!] is threaded, this valve member having longitudinal grooves at opposite sides thereof as shown at 2| to pass the discharging fluid. As will readily be seen from examination of the figure of the drawing, upon advancing the valve member 26 into the bore l9,'the passages 2| will be more or less closed by the wall of the valve chamber because of the complementary interfitting conical shape of the inner end of the valve member and of the inner end of the valve chamber. This type of 40 valve for the fluid flow provides accurate control of the circulation and thus of the temperature of treatment, and at the same time the valve device is positive in its action as well as readily adjustable.

In accordance with the foregoing, the present invention provides a treatment device of the char acter described, affording accurate. control and adjustability of the flow of treatment fluid and thus of the temperature and condition of treatment. The external grooves on the core element 2 and the annular chamber 14 positively ensure freedom for return circulation. The use of the expansible envelope provides for pressure treatment and ensures substantially direct application 55 of heat while avoiding any internal discharge of the treating fluid. The mounting for the envelope is not only secure but also readily assembled and separated.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a body or support member having an elongated core element projecting therefrom, the body member and core element having intercommunicating bores forming a circulation passage for treatment fluid, an expansible envelope surrounding and enclosing the core element, means of communication between the core bore and the interior of the envelope, another bore in the body member communicating with the interior of the envelope and forming another circulation passage for treatment fluid, said bores providing for return circulation of treatment fluid, and valve means in the bore in the body member serving as the outlet circulation passage, the valve means including a valve member adjustably threaded into the discharge end of the outlet passage.

2. A device of the character described including a body or support member having an elongated core element projecting therefrom, a treatment fluid inlet bore formed in the body member and extended longitudinally in the core element, an expansible envelope enclosing the core element, means of communication between the bore in the core element and the interior of the envelope,

said means being located toward the end of the core element remote from the body member, an outlet bore formed in the body member with its entrance end in communication with the interior of the envelope adjacent the base end of the core element, and a groove in the external surface of the core element extended generally longitudinally thereof from a point adjacent said means of communication to a point adjacent the entrance end of the outlet bore.

3. A device of the character described including a body or support member having an elongated core element projecting therefrom, a treatment fluid inlet bore formed in the body member and extended longitudinally in the core element, an expansible envelope enclosing the core element, means of communication between the bore in the core element and the interior of the envelope, said means being located toward the end of the core element remote from the body member, an annular chamber in the body member around the base end of the core element with one edge thereof in communication with the interior of the envelope, a groove in the external surface of the core element extended generally longitudinally thereof from a point adjacent said communication means to said annular chamber, and an outlet bore formed in the body member with its entrance end in communication with said chamber.

WALTER N. MCCONKEY. 

